In a statement on American Family Association radio this week Mike Huckabee threatened to leave the Republican Party and take like minded voters with him over the establishments apparent turnaround on gay marriage. His tirade was lengthy, but came down to this: “If the Republicans want to lose guys like me — and a whole […]

In a statement on American Family Association radio this week Mike Huckabee threatened to leave the Republican Party and take like minded voters with him over the establishments apparent turnaround on gay marriage. His tirade was lengthy, but came down to this: “If the Republicans want to lose guys like me — and a whole […]

Well, he tries to equate the paleocons to the old right, when they absolutely are not the same thing. He also consistently misuses the term liberal, which I would normally excuse because it’s so commonplace, but in this particular discussion he just has to use words with more precision. To be accurate, the old right […]

It is dismaying that on certain issues Empower Texans, which used to be a leading force in the fight for individual liberty and fiscal responsibility in Texas, has begun to take positions which seem more characteristic of a anti-liberty socially conservative agenda. One recent example of this is their position on the issue of legalized […]

U.S. Congress District 3 Republican Candidates Q&A

By ErikSetzer

Reducing the Size and Scope of Government- Joan Pulliam (1.5 minutes)

One of the core principles of the Republican Liberty Caucus is to limit the size and scope of government. However, expenditures by local, state and federal government continue to increase on an annual basis.
If elected to serve as the US Representative from Florida’s 3rd Congressional District how would you work to achieve a smaller federal government? Specifically – which taxes, laws, programs, departments and/or agencies will you introduce legislation to abolish?

Dean Black: Would abolish the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy and Internal Revenue Service. Would vote for the FairTax and a balanced budget veto amendment.Chris Nwasike: Repeal the recent “Health Care” bill and reduce taxes.Mike Yost: Abolish the Department of Education and Internal Revenue Service. Perform major reforms to entitlement programs. Return control to local governments.

Monetary Policy – Sandee Copeland (1.5 minutes)

Article I Section 8 of the United States Constitution gives the United States Congress the authority to coin money, however since the creation of the private Federal Reserve System in 1913, this responsibility was transferred to a small group of bankers with very little oversight of Congress. The system has produced a 95% devaluation of the US dollar, facilitated massive public and private deficits as well as artificial booms and busts within the natural business cycle.
Do you support abolishing the Federal Reserve System?
HR 1207 which would allow for an audit of the Federal Reserve System currently has 319 Co-Sponsors in the United States House of Representatives If elected to the US House of Representatives would you support this legislation?

Chris Nwasike: Supports an independent Federal Reserve system, because government control of money would be bad. Supports a public audit of the Federal Reserve every year.Mike Yost: At the minimum, would support and vote for HR1207. America needs to return to an asset-based currency (i.e. the gold standard).Dean Black: An independent Federal Reserve separate from the government is necessary.

Foreign Policy – Robert Holland (1.5 minutes)

Many conservatives believe in a more traditional non-interventionist foreign policy where troops are deployed only to defend our nation upon a formal declaration of war by Congress. Other conservatives believe that the events of 9/11 require a broader use of the US military including pre-emptive attacks, undeclared wars, nation-building and police keeping missions.
If elected to the US House which type of foreign policy would you advocate?
And how do you characterize our national interest with respect to ongoing troop commitments around the world and specifically Iraq and Afghanistan?

Mike Yost: If we’re under direct attack, we need to be able to respond fast, without too much bureaucracy in the way.Dean Black: Supports Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We don’t need a declaration to go to war.Chris Nwasike: We should let our friends and enemies know who they are. Supports the troops in current wars, and the wars.

The National Debt – Luis Melendez (1.5 minutes)

In recent decades, the United States has gone from the largest creditor nation to the largest debtor. Current deficits are approximately 40% of revenues and sovereign default is openly discussed within mainstream financial circles today.
How concerned are you over the issue of our national debt and what measures can we take to deal with this issue?Dean Black: Is concerned enough to run for office. We need money to pay for the deficits (pass the FairTax), and need to eliminate some taxes while cutting the size and scope of government.Chris Nwasike: Is alarmed at the debt. We should cut spending and work to balance our budgets.Mike Yost: Bring entitlement programs under control. Also, eliminate baseline budgeting.

State Sovereignty – Cliff Johnson III (1.5 minutes)

Article I Section 8 of the United States Constitution grants 18 enumerated powers to the Federal government. Many states including the state of Florida have introduced 10th Amendment Resolutions to remind the federal government of these limitations.
Do you believe the federal government has exceeded these enumerated powers, and if so, how has this affected our state and what are the specific intrusions by the federal government that if elected US Representative from Florida’s 3rd Congressional District you would actively work to reverse or eliminate?

Chris Nwasike: Repeal the recent “Health Care” bill.Mike Yost: Drop the Department of Education. Allow states to spend their own money locally. Remove federal mandates on Medicaid, which are hurting the states.Dean Black: Eliminate certain programs and federal mandates, restore fiscal discipline, and support a balanced budget veto amendment.

National Sovereignty – Chad Dawkins (1.5 minutes)

The United States has surrendered much sovereignty to global organizations such as the United Nations, The International Monetary Fund, N.A.T.O and the G20.
Are there any international organizations that you believe are a threat to the sovereignty of the United States of America? If so, which organization(s) concerns you the most and why?Mike Yost: We shouldn’t fund the United Nations. The most dangerous organization is our administration and the unenforced immigration laws.Dean Black: Not afraid for America’s sovereignty; those organizations are no good without the United States.Chris Nwasike: We need to make sure everyone understands the U.S. only answers to American citizens.

Civil Liberties – Clive Rickets (1.5 minutes)

A growing number of conservatives have become concerned about federal actions that have threatened civil liberties following the events of 9/11. The USA Patriot Act, The John Warner Defense Authorization Act, The Military Commission Act and the expansion of the Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act (FISA) of 2007 were all implemented under a Republican Administration.
Do you believe our government has achieved the right balance between security and liberty?
US Representative from Florida’s 3rd Congressional District what, if any actions, would you take with respect to the issue of civil liberties?

Dean Black: Would oppose Real ID act. Would hope we’ve achieved the right balance of security and liberty. We’ve given up some liberties, but congressional oversight should protect us from abuses.Chris Nwasike: There isn’t a balance right now. The role of government is to protect liberty.Mike Yost: States need to get back control. Too much liberty has been given up for security.

The Liberty Lightning Round – Sandy Aleheim

1. Would you have supported the $750 Billion TARP bailout supported by President Bush in 2008?DB: YesCN: YesMY: No

2. Would you support abolishing the federal Department of Education?DB: YesCN: NoMY: Yes

3. Do you oppose the federal ban on assault weapons?DB: YesCN: YesMY: Yes

4. Would you support legislation to implement the Fair Tax?DB: YesCN: NoMY: Yes

5. Do you support NAFTA?DB: YesCN: YesMY: No

6. Do you support overturning Roe vs. Wade and returning the abortion issue to the states?DB: YesCN: YesMY: Yes

7. Do you support using public funds to support private enterprise?DB: NoCN: YesMY: No

8. Would you work to repeal the REAL ID act?DB: YesCN: YesMY: Yes

9. Do you support the immigration law recently passed in Arizona?DB: YesCN: YesMY: Yes

10. Do you support the Death Penalty?DB: YesCN: YesMY: Yes

11. Would you still support offshore oil drilling in the wake of the BP incident in the Gulf?DB: YesCN: YesMY: Yes

12. Do you support the repeal of federal drug laws?DB: NoCN: NoMY: No

13. Do you support a federal minimum wage law?DB: NoCN: NoMY: No

14. Do you support the reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act in its current form?DB: YesCN: NoMY: No

15. Do you believe the United States’ war in Iraq is a constitutional war?DB: YesCN: YesMY: No

16. Do you still support the decision to deploy American troops to Iraq?DB: YesCN: YesMY: No

17. Would you support the ability of Americans to opt-out of Social Security?DB: YesCN: YesMY: Yes

18. Would you support a balanced budget amendment to the US Constitution?DB: YesCN: YesMY: Yes

19. Would you support a Line Item Veto for the President of the United States?DB: NoCN: YesMY: No

20. Do you believe a State has the right to secede from the Union?DB: NoCN: YesMY: Yes

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